Wednesday, August 3, 2011

So you maybe wondering why I visited the Yale School of Medicine, but to me this is in the hope that for some this might be the next step for you after your graduate from College. I was honored to meet with the Director of Admissions Mr. Silverman. He as well was wondering why a High School Counselor would be interested in this program. I explained that all of our students in WCCUSD have the opportunity to participate in an academy, and at De Anza we have a Health Academy.While many of these students will go on to college, not all will go on to medical school, nor is this the intent of this system. I personally wanted to have a better understand of some the opportunities outside California for our students. This allows a student the opportunity to bloom, and spread their wings.

I was very excited to hear that Yale Medicine has a large contingent of students that had come from California and even have a support system that they created, to help adjust to the east coast. While most of us change our career paths many times, the idea of having options and ideas beyond the small area that we live in is vital to making the best choices for ourselves. While much of the application appears to mirror that of many other medical programs, Yale Medicine has a wonderful book called "100 Reasons" that give some amazing insight into why Yale? One of my favorite is number 10. Haven Free clinic that was created by medicial students, nursing and public health in 2005 to help the area here around Yale University.

The program sounds amazing, but they key appears not to have the right combinations of classes, internships etc. but rather a grasp on who and what you are and be commitment to that goal, as well as the confidence and belief that this is what you are meant to do.

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About Us

We are a group of rising seniors representing the West Contra Costa Unified School District located in the San Francisco Bay Area. From July 24th through August 7th we will be participating in the rigorous Studies in Grand Strategies course as a part of Yale’s Ivy Scholars Program.

This intense course focuses on writing skills, advocacy, persuasion skills, and leadership. Only a selected group of high school students worldwide get the opportunity to learn from such a diverse and distinguished faculty as this program has to offer.

To quote from Yale’s designated website for this program: “This special academic and leadership development program is for extraordinarily capable individuals of strong character who know who they are, possess a strong desire to study strategy and leadership, and have a calling to someday serve at the very highest levels of government, business, public service, and education.”

Our group consists of three students: Tom Miller from El Cerrito High School, Matthew Lee from Pinole Valley High School, and Wing Tung (Dyana) So, also from Pinole Valley High.

Our Connections

MATTHEW LEE

Matt is a junior attending Pinole Valley High. During his free time, Matt likes to play video games, play intense matches of tennis and, hang out with his friends. All of these things help him through the rigorous stress of academics. Matt's future is still unclear, but he knows college will be a definite first step.

TOM MILLER

Tom Miller lives in Kensington, California, and is a Junior at El Cerrito High School. He does not know what career lies ahead of him, but he has a passion for politics, theater, and working with children. In his spare time he enjoys performing and directing youth plays and musicals, mountain biking, and yoga.

DYANA SO

As an active junior around Pinole Valley High School, Dyana So takes part in many extracurriculars - from being secretary to the Forensics Speech and Debate Team to being Editor-in-Chief of the Literary Magazine. She has a passion to learn and a passion to lead. Dyana also likes to draw, travel, and sing.